Guitar Neck Profiles: Guide to Find the Perfect Fit for You

You may randomly order a guitar from a PMT store without knowing it completely. Coincidentally, you could be lucky and love it. 

However, there is also a chance to be disappointed by knowing how playable it is. One of the main reasons would be faulty guitar neck profiles. 

You don’t want to face that, right? 

We’ll cover that so that you have all the information needed to get the perfect instrument for your style and purpose. 

So, what are the different neck shapes? Let’s dive into more details. 

TL/DR

As you gain experience playing guitar, you’ll notice that each guitar is constructed differently. Different guitar necks feel different, from the fingerboard to the back. 

• U, Soft V, Oval C, Hard V, D, V, and Soft V come under symmetrical profiles. 
• An asymmetrical profile is a customizable preference that caters to specific guitarists who prefer to solo on the high frets of the neck while still being able to play barre chords with ease on the upper frets. 

Understanding Guitar Neck Profile 

The wedge at the back side of a guitar below the fretboard, between the body and headstock, is named the neck. 

The neck profile refers particularly to the cross-sections if you separate the guitar’s neck through the perpendicular frets to its truss rod.

This curved shape wedge is located within the nut area and the heel or bottom area of the neck (overhead the 17th fret). 

How Is It Connected?

The neck profile has nothing to do with the other constructional aspects of the guitar’s neck, like the fingerboard, neck, or depth. These two-dimensional cross-sections represent a shape necessary for design purposes. 

The neck profile shape changes how you hold the guitar in your hand. This impacts how you feel when playing, how easy it is to fret, and how well you play. 

Players with varying finger lengths, hand sizes, and preferred playing techniques can find an appropriate neck profile. This highlights the importance of guitarists settling on a preferred form. Playing with the correct neck profile can alleviate strain and improve enjoyment.

If you look through the shank’s length, you can’t see the subtle differences in the neck profiles until you play the guitar. 

Why Is The Guitar Neck Important?

• The right profile allows you to feel the guitar in your hands easily and navigate its fretboard, so you will not fatigue from long playing sessions. 
• You can align with any particular playing style. For example, some guitarists opt for thicker necks to achieve control and stability, while slimmer profiles allow easy movement and speed. 
• The enhanced playing experience depends on the musical genre. Vintage guitars (like the ZAS50CE Vintage Sunburst ) generally have thick necks suitable for rock and blues guitarists. Conversely, contemporary guitarists prefer slim, modern profiles.

Depth, width, and fretboard radius are the three things to consider in the neck profile measurement. From head to tail, the length of your guitar’s neck is its depth, also called its thickness.

A Great Example

For instance, the Zagar ZAD900CE 12 string has a 4.75-inch depth, but the ZAD900 OM size has a 4.25-inch depth. 

Though the proper place to assess the neck width is subjective, most experts agree it is the nut. For example, the ZAD900CE full-size classical guitar measures 15.5 inches wider. 

Guitar Neck Profiles Explained (6 Different Shapes)

Let’s have a deep discussion over the different guitar neck profiles- 

1. C Or Chunky Shape 

One common and well-known guitar neck design is the C-shape. In cross-section, its rounded shape looks like the letter C, which is one of its defining features. 

One of the most common characteristics of this neck shape is a gradual decrease in height around the neck’s back. The arc begins at the headstock, near the highest point of the neck, and turns progressively thicker as it gets close to the player’s body. 

This modest design gives players a comfortable and good grip on the guitar. The C-shape neck profile provides almost no taper between the first and twelfth frets. 

A C-shape guitar, like the ZAD900 CE, is adaptable to various playing styles and is considered an all-rounder. The combination of roundness and thickness makes it a breeze to play lead and rhythm. This neck shape is reminiscent of the golden age of electric guitars and has a nostalgic feel that many guitarists love. 

2. D Shape 

The next neck profile is famous for its ergonomic design and comfortable feel. Electronic guitars nowadays often have a D-shaped profile, also known as a “Modern Flat Oval.” 

As its name implies, it looks like the letter D when you see it from the side. 

Its round shoulders give it a C shape, but its flatter mid-neck makes it ideal for faster playing. Because of the relatively flat back of the neck, which makes it feel comparably comfortable in your hands, this neck design originated from classical string guitars. 

These guitars often have shoulders that extend vertically and cross over the neck’s radius. Novice players can confuse them with a C-shape profile. But you can differentiate them if you notice that their edges are flatter than the Cs. 

This neck is a great choice if your performance includes quick string changes and fast passages. 

3. U-Shape 

Compared to the C-shape profile, this neck is much broader, more substantial, and chunkier. Those neck shapes are right if your hands are larger than average. 

Due to its nearly rectangular appearance, it’s often called the baseball bat. Long-finger players will appreciate the design’s emphasis on providing a comfortable reach across the fretboard. 

Some players may find this neck profile a bit uncomfortable due to its thicker construction than others. Many acoustic guitars have a neck shape called Performing Artist, similar to the U-shape. It balances grip and functionality and has a comparable robust feel but a smaller width and sleeker taper. 

4. V Shape 

One common design for guitar necks is the V-shape, which is easily identifiable by its sharp V. The more contemporary practice of placing one’s thumb on top of one’s neck makes this profile popular among players.

While the V-shape and C-shape neck profiles are comparable, the V-shape on the V-shape is more acute. Some players may find this form more difficult. However, it might also help them reach the higher frets more easily. If you want a slimmer neck with better access to the upper frets. 

This shape is ideal for quick runs and solos—a sharp V-shape could be for you.

V-shaped necks are usually associated with vintage guitars from the 1960s or instruments that have been faithfully recreated. A “soft V” and a “hard V” are the two most typical classifications for this neck shape. A flatter profile is often connected with a soft V form, where the V’s tip fits into the space between the player’s thumb and pointer finger.

5. Soft V

Guitarists often choose neck profiles with rounded corners, such as the soft V-shape, over conventional V-shapes. For those who prefer the more conventional method of playing- wrapping one’s thumb around the guitar’s neck- this provides enough support and comfort. 

This is a softer version of the V-shape profile that is more rounded overall. With its gentle V-shape and rounded edges, this guitar is pleasant to hold and plays with a firm grasp on every fret. 

Because of this shape, it’s a fantastic choice for guitarists who like playing lead and chords.

6. Asymmetric Neck Shapes

Any guitar or bass with a neck that is thicker on one side than the other is said to have an “asymmetric neck profile.” Generally, this indicates a narrower high E side and a thicker low E side. 

The result is a thinner neck beneath the fingers and a thicker neck in the palm. When played, the neck has a robust feel while being easy on the fingers.

Guitar Neck Shapes For Small Hands 

We understand how frustrating playing guitar with small hands can be. 

For small hands, playing a guitar with a wide and thick neck can be uncomfortable and cause your fingers to hurt. So, you need a guitar with a narrower and thinner profile. 

Flat Cs have a shallower profile and sound best when paired with narrow fretboards. When playing the guitar with tiny hands, one of the obstacles that you have is the capacity to span frets simultaneously. With a deeper neck, you’ll have to use more of your handspan to reach the rear of the neck, which isn’t ideal. You have more space to spread out over frets with a flatter profile. 

You can try the 38-inch Parlor Size Acoustic by Zager Guitar for small hands. Though this parlor size is perfect for small players, the rich sound it creates will amaze you. 

Even customers who have tried Little Martin and GS Mini report this parlor-size acoustic by Zager Guitar as the best option. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between The D And C Neck Profiles?

C-shape necks are a favorite in terms of playing technique and hand size. A C-shaped neck is a great option if you prefer not to rest your thumb on the back or top of your neck.

Contrarily, the  D-shape is ideal for lead players who like to rest their thumb on the neck’s back since it keeps the thumb firmly planted. Furthermore, D-necks are perfect for shredders and rapid players because of their typically slim profile.

Do Neck Profiles Affect Tone?

Neck dimensions affect the playability of the guitar. The nut or fretboard width, fretboard radius (curve from side to side), and the neck’s thickness make up the size of the neck and how it plays. These dimensions are the personal preferences of guitar players. But thickness doesn’t affect the sound of the guitar. it’s a matter of playing comfort and preference that better depends completely on the player. 

How Thick Should A Guitar Neck Be?

Your playing style and personal preferences will determine the ideal guitar thickness. A thinner-profile neck may be more comfortable if you play lead guitar often.

There are three primary categories of neck thickness: 

• Any neck 17–19 millimeters thick at the nut is considered thin. 
• A medium-thickness neck has a nut of 20-22 mm in diameter. Necks that are 23 mm or thicker at the nut are considered thick.

What Are The Best Guitar Neck Profiles?

Here are the best guitar neck profiles- 

• C Shape or Oval shape: The jack-of-all-traders. An even neck shape is best for advanced as well as beginners. 
• D Neck Shape: This is similar to a C shape but is designed with a flat mid-section of the neck. It is easy to pick and use the legato scale alternately. 
• U Neck or Baseball Bat: Perfect for bigger hands guitarists. It is generally found in vintage remade guitar models. 
• V Neck Shape: This shape is best for those who prefer to place their index finger over the guitar neck for chord fretting. 

Can I Thin My Guitar Neck?

We recommend smoothing it out with a sandpaper block, file, or rasp to reduce its size and remove excess material. At the 1st and 8th frets, use a caliper gauge to monitor your thickness and a large square or straight edge to keep it flat as you work.

If shaved correctly, the neck will be more pleasant to play with. You won’t harm the neck’s structure if you don’t shave too deeply into a thick guitar neck.

How Do You Find Out Which Neck Profile You Have?

The quickest approach to determining the profile is to look at the base of the neck. You can see the profile clearly if you stand up, hold the guitar so the strings face your body, and gaze downwards at the neck’s back. Another approach that can help differentiate the shape is to encircle the rear of the neck with a guitar string.

Choose Your Guitar Neck Wisely

Like every other part of a guitar, the guitar neck profiles are highly subjective to the player. Each profile has its own distinct feel in the hand; there is no “best” profile in and of itself. 

Although a guitar’s neck profile simplifies certain playing skills, in theory, you can never tell how great a guitar could feel unless you play one. 

To become a well-rounded guitarist, you must experiment with various guitar neck profiles. You can never tell what playing advantages you may miss until you try.